Giving Names in Dinka Culture
Dinka children are given a family name based on their father's lineage, which is what western culture views as the "last name." A Dinka child's given name reflects the location or circumstances of the child's birth or the parents' expectations for the child. Some Dinka families are Christians, and their children may have a Biblical first name. Teenagers choose a replacement for the given name as part of adulthood rituals -- this "cow name" is based on the color or characteristics of a favorite cow or ox.
Other People Are Reading
-
Dinka Given Names
-
The Dinka given name typically describes one of three things: where the child was born, the circumstances surrounding the child's birth or the parents' expectations for the child. The one-word names capture concepts like "day of the strong wind," "under the laurel tree" or "proud and prosperous herder."
Christian First Names
-
Those Dinkas who observe Christian beliefs often give their children first names from the Bible; for example, many boys are named Joseph or Matthew, and girls are named Mary or Rachel. Other parents wait until the child reaches adulthood, when a Christian name is taken at the time of baptism.
-
Importance of Paternal Lineage
-
The Dinkas choose a family name (what we consider the last name) based on the paternal lineage of the family. The name is that of a male ancestor -- father, grandfather, the founder of the father's clan. Children learn at an early age the importance of the paternal lineage, and most are able to recite the father's lineage back to the most distant traceable ancestor. The perpetuation of the patriarchal names guarantees the men will always be able to trace their ancestry, a key element of Dinka culture.
The "Cow Name" or "Color Name"
-
Cattle play a central role in all aspects of Dinka life. Although they are raised in large herds, they are treated with unusual respect and individuality. Children are taught to recognize each cow or ox by its coloring or other characteristic. During the adulthood rituals, teenage boys stop using their birth name and adopt a "cow name" or "color name" in its place -- the name is based on the color of a favorite cow or ox, or the best one in the father's herd. Occasionally, the name may reflect a characteristic of a favorite cow, but colors are the most common.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Spencer Platt/Getty Images News/Getty Images
